Apparatus for changing the direction of movement of streams of paper

Abstract

A continuous or elongated stream of partially overlapping folded paper sheets is subdivided into shorter streams on the upper reach of a first endless belt or chain conveyor which can deliver the foremost shorter stream onto the upper reach of a second endless belt or chain conveyor or onto the upper reach of a first endless direction reversing conveyor, depending upon the position of a first switch which is pivotably mounted between the first and second belt or chain conveyors. A second direction reversing conveyor is mounted downstream of the second chain or belt conveyor and can receive a shorter stream from the second belt or chain conveyor by way of a second switch which is moved to a different position so as to prevent further transfer of sheets onto the second direction reversing conveyor as soon as the latter receives a complete shorter stream. The directions of travel of the direction changing conveyors are then reversed so that each of these conveyors can deliver the respective shorter stream onto the upper reach of a further conveyor or onto the upper reaches of two discrete further conveyors. At the same time, the first belt or chain conveyor delivers a shorter stream over the first switch and onto the second belt or chain conveyor while the leader of the continuous or longer stream advances onto the first belt or chain conveyor close to the first switch. The second switch can perform the function of a bridge over which a shorter stream can advance from the second reversing conveyor onto the further conveyor.